Mobile hardware for automated response to distress signal

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating automated response to a distress signal includes an attachment for a multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensor location coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the system includes a computer program product in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable by the multifunction mobile computing device to implement detecting a disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobile computing device, and, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobile computing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device the distress signal.

This application claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/179,207, filed Jun. 10, 2016, whichclaims priority from and is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/886,552, filed Oct. 19, 2015, which claims benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/065,378, filed Oct. 17,2014, titled “System and Method for Automated Response to DistressSignal,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to emergency response, and, morespecifically, to enabling response to distress signals sent byindividuals.

Description of the Related Art

Current technology for summoning help in the event of an emergencyrelies on the ability of a user of the technology to “dial 911,” whichis to say that a user of the technology must secure access to atelephone, unlock the telephone, correctly enter a telephone number tosummon help, and then describe the situation to a dispatch operator onthe other end of the call.

In emergencies in the real world, the time and capacity necessary toperform all of these operations are generally not available to personssubject to the emergency during the course of the emergency. Simply put,a user has neither the time nor the concentration to “unlock, dial, andbeg for help” while being threatened with violence. In the case ofmedical emergencies, the user may further lack capacity to “unlock,dial, and beg for help” as he or she teeters on the border of lostconsciousness. The paradigm of “unlock, dial, and beg for help” worksfor some people in some situations, but the real emergencies faced bymany people, particularly people field-deployed to dangerous situations,are not well-served.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

A peripheral device for use in causing a multifunction mobile computingdevice to facilitate automated response to a distress signal includes anattachment for a multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensor locationcoupled to the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device. Insome embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensorlocation in a manner detectable to a sensor housed at the sensorlocation. In some embodiments, the peripheral device includes a tetherfor removably articulating the attachment to a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, upon application of forceto the tether in a direction away from the sensor location, the sensorhoused at the sensor location detects removal of the attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an ecosystem for facilitating automated response to adistress signal, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates a multifunction mobile computing device equippedwith an attachment for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B depicts a multifunction mobile computing device equipped with anattachment for facilitating automated response to a distress signal, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a server module for facilitating automated responseto a distress signal, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a multifunction mobile computing device module forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for facilitating automated response toa distress signal, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of a multifunction mobile computingdevice facilitating automated response to a distress signal, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 20 illustrates a block diagram of a multifunction mobile computingdevice facilitating automated response to a distress signal, inaccordance with some embodiments.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

Various embodiments of a system and method for facilitating automatedresponse to a distress signal are disclosed. Some embodiments include aperipheral device for use in causing a multifunction mobile computingdevice to facilitate automated response to a distress signal includes anattachment for a multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensor locationcoupled to the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device. Insome embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensorlocation in a manner detectable to a sensor housed at the sensorlocation. In some embodiments, the peripheral device includes a tetherfor removably articulating the attachment to a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, upon application of forceto the tether in a direction away from the sensor location, the sensorhoused at the sensor location detects removal of the attachment andcauses the multifunction mobile computing device to transmit a distresssignal.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an audio outputconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the audio output connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an audio outputconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an electrically-conductivearticulating component dimensioned for removable articulation to theaudio output connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a digital dataconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the digital data connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a magnetic peripheralarticulation connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment includes an articulating componentpolarized for magnetic removable articulation to the magnetic peripheralarticulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an electric powertransmission connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the electric powertransmission connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, the attachment includes an electronic device having a dataconnection to the sensor location via a radio frequency channel betweenthe attachment and the multifunction mobile computing device, and thedisarticulation includes an attenuation of the data connection.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, the attachment includes an electronic device having a dataconnection to the sensor location via a radio frequency channel betweenthe attachment and the multifunction mobile computing device, and thedisarticulation includes a loss of the data connection.

Various embodiments of a system and method for facilitating automatedresponse to a distress signal are disclosed. In some embodiments, asystem for facilitating automated response to a distress signal includesan attachment for a multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensor locationcoupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device. Insome embodiments, the system includes a computer program product in anon-transitory computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, theprogram instructions are computer-executable by the multifunction mobilecomputing device to implement detecting a disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and, responsive to the detecting the disarticulationof the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiverover a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitterlocated within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing devicethe distress signal.

Some embodiments present a toggle control to allow a user to prevent thetransmission of a distress signal after detachment of the attachment orto cause transmission of an ‘all clear’ to cancel a distress signal. Insome embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, presenting a distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving an order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal, and, responsive to the order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal, preventing transmission of the distress signal orbroadcasting an all-clear signal.

Some embodiments include the ability to transmit or block transmissionof a distress signal on a multifunction mobile computing device in spiteof the ‘locked screen’ condition of on the multifunction mobilecomputing device. In some embodiments, the program instructions arefurther computer-executable to implement, responsive to the detectingthe disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device, and presenting adistress signal control interface capable of receiving an order from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to control parametersof transmission of the distress signal.

Some embodiments present a data-entry interface. In some embodiments,wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable toimplement, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, over-riding a locked screen condition of themultifunction mobile computing device, and presenting a distress signaldata input interface capable of receiving condition descriptionindications from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device fortransmission with the distress signal.

Some embodiments support user entry of duress codes. In someembodiments, the program instructions are further computer-executable toimplement, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, presenting a distress signal control interface capableof receiving an order from a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice to prevent transmission of the distress signal. In someembodiments, the presenting the distress signal control interfacecapable of receiving the order from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to prevent transmission of the distress signal furtherincludes presenting a distress signal control interface capable ofreceiving a duress indication order from the user of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, the program instructionsare further computer-executable to implement, responsive to receivingthe duress indication order from the user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, indicating over a user interface of the multifunctionmobile computing device prevention of transmission of the distresssignal, and transmitting the distress signal with a duress indicator.

Some embodiments capture sensor data for transmission in conjunctionwith the transmission of distress signals. Non-limiting examples of suchdata include location data, audio, video, movement information, vitalsign information, and information from third-party sensor devicesaffiliated with a multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the program instructions are further computer-executable toimplement, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, capturing input data received from one or more sensorsof the multifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing location datadescribing a location of the multifunction mobile computing device, andtransmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thelocation data describing the location of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing input data receivedfrom one or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunctionmobile computing device, and transmitting to the distress signalresponse receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing audio input datareceived from one or more audio sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the audio input data received from the one or moreaudio sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing video input datareceived from one or more video sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the video input data received from the one or morevideo sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing motion input datareceived from one or more motion sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the motion input data received from the one or moremotion sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing vital sign input datareceived from one or more vital sign sensors reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the vital sign input data receivedfrom the one or more vital sign sensors reporting to the multifunctionmobile computing device.

Various embodiments allow for the attachment to connect to the sensorlocation of the multifunction mobile computing device in different wayswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the sensor location includes an audio output connectorcoupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device, andthe attachment includes an articulating component dimensioned forremovable articulation to the audio output connector. In someembodiments, the sensor location includes an audio output connectorcoupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device, andthe attachment includes an electrically-conductive articulatingcomponent dimensioned for removable articulation to the audio outputconnector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a digital dataconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the digital data connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a magnetic peripheralarticulation connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment includes an articulating componentpolarized for magnetic removable articulation to the magnetic peripheralarticulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an electric powertransmission connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the electric powertransmission connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, the attachment includes an electronic device having a dataconnection to the sensor location via a radio frequency channel betweenthe attachment and the multifunction mobile computing device, and thedisarticulation includes an attenuation of the data connection.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, the attachment includes an electronic device having a dataconnection to the sensor location via a radio frequency channel betweenthe attachment and the multifunction mobile computing device, thedisarticulation includes a loss of the data connection.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, the attachment includes an electronic device having a dataconnection to the sensor location via a radio frequency channel betweenthe attachment and the multifunction mobile computing device, and thedisarticulation includes an increase in a distance between the sensorlocation and the attachment.

Some embodiments support the transmission of a distress signal in a‘silent alarm’ mode that allows for transmission of the distress signalwithout notification of persons in the vicinity of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, the program instructionscomputer-executable to implement transmitting to a distress signalresponse receiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the distress signal further include programinstructions computer-executable to implement transmitting to a distresssignal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal withoutpresenting any visible or audible indication of the transmission of thedistress signal.

Some embodiments support the transmission of a distress signal in a‘local alert’ mode that allows for transmission of the distress signalwithout notification of persons in the vicinity of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, the program instructionsare further computer-executable to implement, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, providing an audibleindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing a vibration as anindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing light from a visiblelight source as an indication of the transmission of the distresssignal.

Some embodiments include a method for facilitating automated response toa distress signal. In some embodiments, the method includes detecting adisarticulation from a sensor location on a multifunction mobilecomputing device of an attachment removably articulated to the sensorlocation, and, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiverover a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitterlocated within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing devicethe distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device of the attachment, presenting adistress signal control interface capable of receiving an order from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to preventtransmission of the distress signal, and responsive to the order from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to preventtransmission of the distress signal, transmitting an all-clear signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a lockedscreen condition of the multifunction mobile computing device, andpresenting a distress signal control interface capable of receiving anorder from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device tocontrol parameters of transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a lockedscreen condition of the multifunction mobile computing device, andpresenting a distress signal data input interface capable of receivingan condition description indications from a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, presenting a distresssignal control interface capable of receiving an order from a user ofthe multifunction mobile computing device to present transmission of thedistress signal. In some embodiments, the presenting the distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving the order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal further includes presenting a distress signal controlinterface capable of receiving a duress indication order from the userof the multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, themethod further includes responsive to receiving the duress indicationorder from the user of the multifunction mobile computing device,indicating over a user interface of the multifunction mobile computingdevice prevention of transmission of the distress signal, andtransmitting the distress signal with a duress indicator.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing input datareceived from one or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and transmitting to the distress signal response receiver overthe radio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device theinput data received from the one or more sensors of the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing location datadescribing a location of the multifunction mobile computing device, andtransmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thelocation data describing the location of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing input datareceived from one or more external sensors affiliated with themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing audio input datareceived from one or more audio sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the audio input data received from the one or moreaudio sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing video input datareceived from one or more video sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the video input data received from the one or morevideo sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing motion inputdata received from one or more motion sensors of the multifunctionmobile computing device, and transmitting to the distress signalresponse receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the motion input data receivedfrom the one or more motion sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, capturing vital sign inputdata received from one or more vital sign sensors reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the vital sign input data receivedfrom the one or more vital sign sensors reporting to the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the transmitting to a distress signal responsereceiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the distress signal further includes transmitting to adistress signal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal withoutpresenting any visible or audible indication of the transmission of thedistress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, providing an audibleindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, providing a vibration asan indication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes responsive to thedetecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, providing light from avisible light source as an indication of the transmission of thedistress signal.

Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium including program instructions. In some embodiments, the programinstructions are executable by one or more processors of a multifunctionmobile computing device to cause the multifunction mobile to implementdetecting a disarticulation from a sensor location on a multifunctionmobile computing device of an attachment removably articulated to thesensor location, and responsive to the detecting the disarticulation ofthe attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiverover a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitterlocated within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing devicethe distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device of the attachment, presenting a distress signal controlinterface capable of receiving an order from a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device to prevent transmission of the distress signal,and responsive to the order from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to prevent transmission of the distress signal,preventing transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device, and presenting adistress signal control interface capable of receiving an order from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to control parametersof transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device, and presenting adistress signal data input interface capable of receiving an conditiondescription indications from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, presenting a distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving an order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to present transmission of thedistress signal. In some embodiments, the program instructionsexecutable by the one or more processors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to cause the multifunction mobile to implementpresenting the distress signal control interface capable of receivingthe order from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device toprevent transmission of the distress signal further include programinstructions executable by the one or more processors of themultifunction mobile computing device to cause the multifunction mobileto implement presenting a distress signal control interface capable ofreceiving a duress indication order from the user of the multifunctionmobile computing device. In some embodiments, the program instructionsare executable by one or more processors of a multifunction mobilecomputing device to cause the multifunction mobile to implement,responsive to receiving the duress indication order from the user of themultifunction mobile computing device, indicating over a user interfaceof the multifunction mobile computing device prevention of transmissionof the distress signal, and transmitting the distress signal with aduress indicator.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing input data receivedfrom one or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device,and transmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device theinput data received from the one or more sensors of the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing location datadescribing a location of the multifunction mobile computing device, andtransmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thelocation data describing the location of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing input data receivedfrom one or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunctionmobile computing device, and transmitting to the distress signalresponse receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing audio input datareceived from one or more audio sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the audio input data received from the one or moreaudio sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing video input datareceived from one or more video sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the video input data received from the one or morevideo sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing motion input datareceived from one or more motion sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the motion input data received from the one or moremotion sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing vital sign input datareceived from one or more vital sign sensors reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the vital sign input data receivedfrom the one or more vital sign sensors reporting to the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions executable by the one ormore processors of the multifunction mobile computing device to causethe multifunction mobile to implement transmitting to a distress signalresponse receiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the distress signal further include programinstructions executable by the one or more processors of themultifunction mobile computing device to cause the multifunction mobileto implement transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thedistress signal without presenting any visible or audible indication ofthe transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing an audible indicationof the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing a vibration as anindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a multifunction mobile computing device to cause themultifunction mobile to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing light from a visiblelight source as an indication of the transmission of the distresssignal.

Some embodiments include a system for facilitating automated response toa distress signal. In some embodiments, the system includes a networkmonitoring module configured for monitoring signals received over a datanetwork for a presence of one or more distress signals transmitted overa radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device, and an assessment moduleconfigured for assessing priority of the one or more distress signalstransmitted over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of a multifunction mobilecomputing device responsive to detecting the disarticulation of anattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and a resource response module configured forcommunicating the distress signals to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals.

In some embodiments, the system includes a logging module configured forreceiving condition description indications from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to for transmission with thedistress signal. In some embodiments, the system includes a real-timecommunication module configured for communicating response conditiondescription indications to a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal, and receiving conditiondescription indications from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the system includes a response instructioncommunication module configured for communicating response instructionsto a user of the multifunction mobile computing device in response tothe distress signal. In some embodiments, the system includes aresponder update diffusion module configured for communicating to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals sensor informationgathered from the multifunction mobile computing device in response tothe distress signal.

In some embodiments, the system includes an analytics module configuredfor assessing patterns in multiple distress signals and selectingappropriate responses to one or more distress signals. In someembodiments, the system includes a responder instruction moduleconfigured for communicating to the resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals automated instructions selected based on sensorinformation gathered from the multifunction mobile computing device inresponse to the distress signal.

Some embodiments include a method for facilitating automated response toa distress signal. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoringsignals received over a data network for a presence of one or moredistress signals transmitted over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of a multifunctionmobile computing device responsive to detecting a disarticulation of anattachment from a sensor location on a multifunction mobile computingdevice, assessing priority of the one or more distress signalstransmitted over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of a multifunction mobilecomputing device responsive to detecting the disarticulation of anattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and communicating the distress signals to resourcestasked to respond to the distress signals.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving conditiondescription indications from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes communicating responsecondition description indications to a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device in response to the distress signal, and receivingcondition description indications from a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes communicating responseinstructions to a user of the multifunction mobile computing device inresponse to the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the method further includes communicating to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals sensor informationgathered from the multifunction mobile computing device in response tothe distress signal. In some embodiments, the method further includesassessing patterns in multiple distress signals and selectingappropriate responses to one or more distress signals.

In some embodiments, the method further includes communicating to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals automatedinstructions selected based on sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.

Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium including program instructions. In some embodiments, the programinstructions are executable by one or more processors of anetwork-connected computing device to implement a network monitoringmodule monitoring signals received over a data network for a presence ofone or more distress signals transmitted over a radio-frequency networkfrom a radio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of amultifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting adisarticulation of an attachment from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the programinstructions are executable by one or more processors of anetwork-connected computing device to implement an assessment moduleassessing priority of the one or more distress signals transmitted overthe radio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting the disarticulation of an attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the program instructions are executable by one or moreprocessors of a network-connected computing device to implement aresource response module communicating the distress signals to resourcestasked to respond to the distress signals.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement alogging module receiving condition description indications from a userof the multifunction mobile computing device to for transmission withthe distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement areal-time communication module communicating response conditiondescription indications to a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal, and receiving conditiondescription indications from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement aresponse instruction communication module communicating responseinstructions to a user of the multifunction mobile computing device inresponse to the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement aresponder update diffusion module communicating to the resources taskedto respond to the distress signals sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement ananalytics module assessing patterns in multiple distress signals andselecting appropriate responses to one or more distress signals.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a network-connected computing device to implement aresponder instruction module communicating to the resources tasked torespond to the distress signals automated instructions selected based onsensor information gathered from the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal.

Some embodiments include a system for facilitating automated response toa distress signal. In some embodiments, the system includes a housing, asensor location coupled to the housing, a processor located within thehousing, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, aradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing, and anattachment for the multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the attachment removably articulates to the sensor locationcoupled to the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device.Some embodiments include a computer program product in thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, wherein the program instructions arecomputer-executable to implement detecting a disarticulation of theattachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and responsive to the detecting the disarticulation ofthe attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiverover a radio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitterlocated within the housing of the multifunction mobile computing devicethe distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, presenting a distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving an order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal, and, responsive to the order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal, preventing transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device and presenting adistress signal control interface capable of receiving an order from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to control parametersof transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, over-riding a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device, and presenting adistress signal data input interface capable of receiving conditiondescription indications from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, and presenting a distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving an order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal. In some embodiments, the presenting the distress signalcontrol interface capable of receiving the order from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to prevent transmission of thedistress signal further includes presenting a distress signal controlinterface capable of receiving a duress indication order from the userof the multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, theprogram instructions are further computer-executable to implement,responsive to receiving the duress indication order from the user of themultifunction mobile computing device, indicating over a user interfaceof the multifunction mobile computing device prevention of transmissionof the distress signal, and transmitting the distress signal with aduress indicator.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing input data receivedfrom one or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device,and transmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device theinput data received from the one or more sensors of the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing location datadescribing a location of the multifunction mobile computing device, andtransmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thelocation data describing the location of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing input data receivedfrom one or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunctionmobile computing device, and transmitting to the distress signalresponse receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing audio input datareceived from one or more audio sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the audio input data received from the one or moreaudio sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing video input datareceived from one or more video sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the video input data received from the one or morevideo sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing motion input datareceived from one or more motion sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and transmitting to the distress signal responsereceiver over the radio-frequency network from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the motion input data received from the one or moremotion sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, capturing vital sign input datareceived from one or more vital sign sensors reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the vital sign input data receivedfrom the one or more vital sign sensors reporting to the multifunctionmobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an audio outputconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the audio output connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an audio outputconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an electrically-conductivearticulating component dimensioned for removable articulation to theaudio output connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a digital dataconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the digital data connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a magnetic peripheralarticulation connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment includes an articulating componentpolarized for magnetic removable articulation to the magnetic peripheralarticulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes an electric powertransmission connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, the attachment includes an articulating componentdimensioned for removable articulation to the electric powertransmission connector.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement transmitting to a distress signalresponse receiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the distress signal further include programinstructions computer-executable to implement transmitting to a distresssignal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal withoutpresenting any visible or audible indication of the transmission of thedistress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing an audible indicationof the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing a vibration as anindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing light from a visiblelight source as an indication of the transmission of the distresssignal.

Example Embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

FIG. 1 depicts an ecosystem for facilitating automated response to adistress signal, in accordance with some embodiments. A distress signalresponse receiver 106 receives at a client interface 118 distresssignals over communication links 110 a-110 b, such as communication overa network 108, from distress signal modules 112 a-112 b executing onmultifunction mobile computing devices 114 a-114 b, such as mobilephones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, or laptopcomputers. In some embodiments, an incident response management module120 executing on distress signal response receiver 106 transmits throughclient interface 118 the distress signals (or communications embodyingthe distress signals) to responder clients 102 a-102 b overcommunication links 104 a-104 b, such as communication over a network108, for presentation through responder interfaces 122 a-122 b. In someembodiments, responder clients 102 a-102 b are multifunction mobilecomputing devices 114 a-114 b, such as mobile phones, tablet computers,personal digital assistants, special-purpose emergency responder radiodevices, or laptop computers capable of inter-responder communications130. In some embodiments, distress signal modules 112 a-112 b executingon multifunction mobile computing devices 114 a-114 b, such as mobilephones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, or laptopcomputer communicate distress signals over communication channels 110 cdirectly to responder clients 102 a-102 b. In some embodiments, distresssignal response receiver 106 maintains a database of distress signalsreceived from distress signal modules 112 a-112 b executing onmultifunction mobile computing devices 114 a-114 b.

In one example use case, a multifunction mobile computing device 114 bincludes a mobile telephone (e.g., see FIG. 2) equipped with aperipheral device (e.g., a tether coupled to a plug-style attachmentthat is inserted into the audio jack of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b) for use in causing the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b to facilitate automated response to a distresssignal by transmitting a distress signal from the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b.

In some embodiments, the peripheral device includes the tether and theplug-style attachment configured for removably articulating theattachment to the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b. In theexample embodiment, the plug-style attachment removably articulates to asensor location coupled to the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b, such as the audio jack, or a data port, or apower connector port. In some embodiments, the attachment removablyarticulates to a sensor location in a manner detectable to a sensorhoused at the sensor location.

Upon becoming alarmed at circumstances in a user's local area, the userof the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b pulls the tether tocause separation of the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b fromthe peripheral (e.g., the plug attachment is removed from the audio jackof the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b). In someembodiments, upon application of force to the tether in a direction awayfrom the sensor location, the sensor housed at the sensor locationdetects removal of the attachment and causes the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b to transmit a distress signal to distress signalresponse receiver 106 over communication channel 110 b or directly toresponder client 102 a over communication channel 110 c. Thus, in someembodiments, the act of connecting or disconnecting the attachmentitself triggers certain functions of the multifunction mobile computingdevice 114 b, such as transmission of a distress signal. In someembodiments, the act of connecting or disconnecting the attachmentitself triggers certain functions of the multifunction mobile computingdevice 114 b, such as transmission of a distress signal, even if ascreen multifunction mobile computing device 114 b (e.g., of the phone)is in a locked condition and incapable of receiving standard touchscreeninput.

As an example of use of one embodiment, a jogger who gets attacked inthe park while jogging pulls a strap attached to a plug-style attachmentthat is inserted into the audio jack of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b (her phone). In some embodiments, the act ofpulling the strap and thereby removing the plug-style attachment fromthe audio jack causes transmission of a distress signal to distresssignal response receiver 106 over communication channels 110 b forrouting of the distress signal by distress signal response receiver 106for routing over communication channel 104 b to a responder client 102 bin the squad-car of a local policeman.

As example of use of another embodiment, a jogger who gets attacked inthe park while jogging pulls a strap attached to a plug-style attachmentthat is inserted into the audio jack of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b (his smartwatch). In some embodiments, the act ofpulling the strap and thereby removing the plug-style attachment fromthe audio jack causes transmission of a distress signal directly to auser-pre-selected responder client 102 b (e.g., a fellow jogger on thetrail, for example by sending email, text messages, or an audio message)over communication channels 110 c.

As example of use of another embodiment, a jogger who gets attacked inthe park while jogging pulls a strap attached to a plug-style attachmentthat is inserted into the audio jack of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b (his smartwatch). In some embodiments, the act ofpulling the strap and removing the plug-style attachment from the audiojack causes transmission of a distress signal directly to auser-pre-selected responder client 102 b (e.g., a fellow jogger on thetrail, for example by sending email, text messages, or an audio message)over communication channels 110 c and transmission of a distress signalto distress signal response receiver 106 over communication channels 110b for routing of the distress signal by distress signal responsereceiver 106 for routing over communication channel 104 b to a responderclient 102 b in the squad-car of a local policeman. In some embodiments,the distress signal transmitted to responder clients 102 a-102 b caninclude details such as a map pointing to the location of multifunctionmobile computing device 114 b and any sensor data (e.g., audio or video,position, vital signs picked up from a personal fitness sensor coupledto the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b by a radio-frequencylink) received from multifunction mobile computing device 114 b.

As example of use of another embodiment, a Marine who gets attacked in acombat zone pulls a strap attached to a plug-style attachment that isinserted into the power input jack of the multifunction mobile computingdevice 114 b (his combat radio). In some embodiments, the act of pullingthe strap and removing the plug-style attachment from the audio jackcauses transmission of a distress signal directly to a user-pre-selectedresponder client 102 b (e.g., one or more Marines in his platoon, forexample by sending email, text messages, or an audio message) overcommunication channels 110 c and transmission of a distress signal todistress signal response receiver 106 (e.g., a combat intelligencemanagement server) over communication channels 110 b for routing of thedistress signal by distress signal response receiver 106 for routingover communication channel 104 b to a responder client 102 b in a nearbytank. In some embodiments, the distress signal transmitted to responderclients 102 a-102 b can include details such as a map pointing to thelocation of multifunction mobile computing device 114 b and any sensordata (e.g., audio or video, position, vital signs picked up from apersonal health sensor coupled to the multifunction mobile computingdevice 114 b by a radio-frequency link) received from multifunctionmobile computing device 114 b.

In some embodiments a system for facilitating automated response to adistress signal includes a network monitoring module, such as acomponent of incident response management module 120, monitoring orconfigured for monitoring signals received over a data network, such asnetwork 108, for a presence of one or more distress signals transmittedover a radio-frequency network (e.g., communication links 110 a-110 b)from a radio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of amultifunction mobile computing device (e.g., multifunction mobilecomputing devices 114 a-114 b). While the example embodiment portrayedin FIG. 1 illustrates as a network monitoring module incident responsemanagement module 120, one of skill in the art will readily comprehendin light of having read the present disclosure that a network monitoringmodule may also be implemented as functions executing on a responderinterface 122 a of a responder client receiving distress signals overcommunication channels 110 c without departing from the scope and intentof the present disclosure.

Responsive to detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensorlocation on a multifunction mobile computing device 114 b, an assessmentmodule within incident response management module 120 assesses or isconfigured for assessing priority of the one or more distress signalstransmitted over the radio-frequency network (e.g., communication links110 a-110 b) from the radio-frequency transmitter located within thehousing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsive todetecting the disarticulation of an attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b. A resource responsemodule within incident response management module 120 communicates or isconfigured for communicating the distress signals to resources (e.g.,responder clients 102 a-102 b) tasked to respond to the distresssignals.

In some embodiments, the system includes a logging module withinincident response management module 120 receiving or configured forreceiving condition description indications from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device 114 b for transmission with thedistress signal. In some embodiments, the system includes a real-timecommunication module within incident response management module 120communicating or configured for communicating response conditiondescription indications to a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice 114 b in response to the distress signal over communication links110 b, and receiving condition description indications from a user ofthe multifunction mobile computing device 114 b for transmission withthe distress signal over communication links 110 b.

In some embodiments, the system includes a response instructioncommunication module within incident response management module 120communicating or configured for communicating response instructions overcommunication links 110 b to a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 114 b in response to the distress signal. In someembodiments, the system includes a responder update diffusion modulewithin incident response management module 120 communicating orconfigured for communicating over communication links 104 a-104 b to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals (e.g., responderclients 102 a-102 b) sensor information gathered from the multifunctionmobile computing device 114 b in response to the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the system includes an analytics module withinincident response management module 120 assessing or configured forassessing patterns in multiple distress signals within database 116 andselecting appropriate responses to one or more distress signals. In someembodiments, the system includes a responder instruction module withinincident response management module 120 communicating or configured forcommunicating over communication links 110 b to the resources tasked torespond to the distress signals (e.g., responder clients 102 a-102 b)automated instructions selected based on sensor information gatheredfrom the multifunction mobile computing device 114 b in response to thedistress signal.

FIG. 2A illustrates a multifunction mobile computing device equippedwith an attachment for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal, in accordance with some embodiments. A multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a is coupled to a peripheral device 210 a includinga tether 230 a and an attachment 240 a connected to a sensor location270 a. The multifunction mobile computing device 220 a includes aperipheral antenna 252 a, which, in some embodiments, may be used forcommunication with either remote sensors or wearable computing or sensordevices (smartwatches, computing goggles) or, in some embodiments, withperipheral device 210 a. The multifunction mobile computing device 220 afurther includes a network antenna 280 a for communicating with a datanetwork, such as network 108 of FIG. 1. The multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a further includes a speaker 256 a, a touch screen290 a showing a screen control 250 a and a microphone 258 a. Functionsof various components of multifunction mobile computing device 220 a arediscussed below with respect to FIGS. 19-20.

In some embodiments, peripheral device 210 a is used in and configuredfor use in causing multifunction mobile computing device 220 a tofacilitate automated response to distress signals. As shown, peripheraldevice 210 a includes an attachment 240 a for a multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a. In some embodiments, the attachment 240 aremovably articulates to a sensor location 270 a coupled to the housingof the multifunction mobile computing device 220 a. In some embodiments,the attachment 240 a removably articulates to a sensor location 270 a ina manner detectable to a sensor housed at the sensor location 270 a. Insome embodiments, the peripheral device 210 a includes a tether 230 afor removably articulating the attachment 240 a to a user of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 a. In some embodiments, uponapplication of force to the tether 230 a in a direction away from thesensor location 270 a, the sensor housed at the sensor location 270 adetects removal of the attachment 240 a and causes the multifunctionmobile computing device to transmit a distress signal over networkantenna 280 a or to a nearby cooperating multifunction mobile computingdevice over peripheral antenna 252 a.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 a includes an audio outputconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a, and the attachment 240 a includes anarticulating component (not visible) dimensioned for removablearticulation to the audio output connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 a includes an audio outputconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a, and the attachment 240 a includes anelectrically-conductive articulating component (not visible) dimensionedfor removable articulation to the audio output connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 a includes a digital dataconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 a, and the attachment 240 a includes anarticulating component (not visible) dimensioned for removablearticulation to the digital data connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 a includes a magneticperipheral articulation connector (not visible) coupled to a housing ofthe multifunction mobile computing device 220 a, and the attachment 240a includes an articulating component polarized for magnetic removablearticulation to the magnetic peripheral articulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 a includes an electricpower transmission connector (not visible) coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 a, and the attachment 240 aincludes an articulating component dimensioned for removablearticulation to the electric power transmission connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes 270 a a radiofrequency antennae, such as peripheral antenna 252 a coupled to ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 a, theattachment 240 a includes an electronic device having a data connectionto the sensor location via a radio frequency channel between theattachment 240 a and the multifunction mobile computing device 220 aover peripheral antenna 252 a (e.g., via near field communication orBluetooth), and the disarticulation includes an attenuation of the dataconnection. Thus, in some embodiments, a physical attachment to themobile computing device 220 a is not required for operation as describedherein of the peripheral device 210 a. In some embodiments, theperipheral device 210 a signals multifunction mobile computing device220 a in response to a detachment of attachment from a housing, causingtransmission of a distress signal as described herein.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes 270 a a radiofrequency antennae, such as peripheral antenna 252 a coupled to ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 a, theattachment 240 a includes an electronic device having a data connectionto the sensor location via a radio frequency channel between theattachment 240 a and the multifunction mobile computing device 220 aover peripheral antenna 252 a (e.g., via near field communication orBluetooth), and the disarticulation includes a loss of the dataconnection. Thus, in some embodiments, a physical attachment to themobile computing device 220 a is not required for operation as describedherein of the peripheral device 210 a. In some embodiments, theperipheral device 210 a signals multifunction mobile computing device220 a in response to a detachment of attachment from a housing, causingtransmission of a distress signal as described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts a multifunction mobile computing device equipped with anattachment for facilitating automated response to a distress signal, inaccordance with some embodiments. A multifunction mobile computingdevice 220 b is decoupled from a peripheral device 210 b including atether 230 b and an attachment 240 b for connection to a sensor location270 b. The multifunction mobile computing device 220 b includes aperipheral antenna 252 b, which, in some embodiments, may be used forcommunication with either remote sensors or wearable computing or sensordevices (smartwatches, computing goggles) or, in some embodiments, withperipheral device 210 b. The multifunction mobile computing device 220 bfurther includes a network antenna 280 b for communicating with a datanetwork, such as network 108 of FIG. 1. The multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b further includes a speaker 256 b, a touch screen290 b and a microphone 258 b. Touch screen 290 b shows an overridecontrol 258 b, a screen unlock control 250 b, a toolbar 272 b, aconfiguration control 222 b, and response instructions 228 b. Examplesof a response instructions 228 b to a user can include, in the event ofa medical emergency, treatment instructions. In the event of a securityemergency, an example of response instructions 228 b to a user caninclude directions to a police station. Functions of various componentsof multifunction mobile computing device 220 b are discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 19-20.

In some embodiments, peripheral device 210 b is used in and configuredfor use in causing multifunction mobile computing device 220 b tofacilitate automated response to distress signals. As shown, peripheraldevice 210 b includes an attachment 240 b for a multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b. In some embodiments, the attachment 240 bremovably articulates using plug 242 b to a sensor location 270 bcoupled to the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220b. In some embodiments, the attachment 240 b removably articulates to asensor location 270 b in a manner detectable to a sensor housed at thesensor location 270 b. In some embodiments, the peripheral device 210 bincludes a tether 230 b for removably articulating the attachment 240 bto a user of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b. In someembodiments, upon application of force to the tether 230 b in adirection away from the sensor location 270 b, the sensor housed at thesensor location 270 b detects removal of the attachment 240 b and causesthe multifunction mobile computing device to transmit a distress signalover network antenna 280 b or to a nearby cooperating multifunctionmobile computing device over peripheral antenna 252 b.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes an audio outputconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the attachment 240 b includes anarticulating component (plug 242 b) dimensioned for removablearticulation to the audio output connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes an audio outputconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the attachment 240 b includes anelectrically-conductive articulating component (plug 242 b) dimensionedfor removable articulation to the audio output connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes a digital dataconnector (not visible) coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the attachment 240 b includes anarticulating component (plug 242 b) dimensioned for removablearticulation to the digital data connector (not visible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes a magneticperipheral articulation connector (not visible) coupled to a housing ofthe multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and the attachment 240b includes an articulating component polarized for magnetic removablearticulation to the magnetic peripheral articulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes an electricpower transmission connector (not visible) coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and the attachment 240 bincludes an articulating component (plug 242 b) dimensioned forremovable articulation to the electric power transmission connector (notvisible).

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes 270 b a radiofrequency antennae, such as peripheral antenna 252 b coupled to ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, theattachment 240 b includes an electronic device having a data connectionto the sensor location via a radio frequency channel between theattachment 240 b and the multifunction mobile computing device 220 bover peripheral antenna 252 b (e.g., via near field communication orBluetooth), and the disarticulation includes an attenuation of the dataconnection. Thus, in some embodiments, a physical attachment to themobile computing device 220 b is not required for operation as describedherein of the peripheral device 210 b. In some embodiments, theperipheral device 210 b signals multifunction mobile computing device220 b in response to a detachment of attachment from a housing, causingtransmission of a distress signal as described herein.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes 270 b a radiofrequency antennae, such as peripheral antenna 252 b coupled to ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, theattachment 240 b includes an electronic device having a data connectionto the sensor location via a radio frequency channel between theattachment 240 a and the multifunction mobile computing device 220 bover peripheral antenna 252 b (e.g., via near field communication orBluetooth), and the disarticulation includes a loss of the dataconnection. Thus, in some embodiments, a physical attachment to themobile computing device 220 b is not required for operation as describedherein of the peripheral device 210 b. In some embodiments, theperipheral device 210 b signals multifunction mobile computing device220 b in response to a detachment of attachment from a housing, causingtransmission of a distress signal as described herein.

Various embodiments of a system and method for facilitating automatedresponse to a distress signal are disclosed. In some embodiments, asystem for facilitating automated response to a distress signal includesan attachment 240 b for a multifunction mobile computing device 220 b.In some embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensorlocation 270 b coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b. In some embodiments, the system includes acomputer program product in a non-transitory computer-readable medium,such as is described below with respect to FIGS. 18-20. In someembodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable by themultifunction mobile computing device to implement detecting adisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and, responsive tothe detecting the disarticulation of the attachment 240 b from thesensor location 270 b on the multifunction mobile computing device 220b, transmitting to a distress signal response receiver (such as may, forexample, be implemented in hardware described below with respect toFIGS. 18-20) over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter (e.g., using peripheral antenna 252 b or network antenna 280b) located within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device220 b the distress signal.

Some embodiments present a toggle control (override 258 b) to allow auser to prevent the transmission of a distress signal after detachmentof the attachment or to cause transmission (e.g., using peripheralantenna 252 b or network antenna 280 b) of an ‘all clear’ to cancel adistress signal. In some embodiments, the program instructions arefurther computer-executable to implement, responsive to the detectingthe disarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270b on the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, presenting adistress signal control interface (e.g., override 258 b) capable ofreceiving an order from a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice to prevent transmission of the distress signal, and, responsiveto the order (e.g., actuation of override 258 b) from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b to prevent transmission ofthe distress signal, preventing transmission of the distress signal orbroadcasting an all-clear signal (e.g., using peripheral antenna 252 bor network antenna 280 b).

Some embodiments include the ability to transmit (e.g., using peripheralantenna 252 b or network antenna 280 b) or block transmission of adistress signal on a multifunction mobile computing device in spite ofthe ‘locked screen’ condition of on the multifunction mobile computingdevice 220 b. In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, over-riding a lockedscreen condition of the multifunction mobile computing device (e.g., bypresenting override 258), and presenting a distress signal controlinterface capable of receiving an order from a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device to control parameters of transmission of thedistress signal (e.g., toolbar 272 b).

Some embodiments present a data-entry interface (e.g., toolbar 272 b).In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, over-riding a lockedscreen condition of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, andpresenting a distress signal data input interface (toolbar 272 b)capable of receiving condition description indications from a user ofthe multifunction mobile computing device for transmission with thedistress signal (toolbar 272 b).

In some embodiments, transmission of a distress signal is accomplishedwithout any action of the user subsequent to removal of attachment 240 afrom sensor location 270 a. In a moment of panic or struggle, a user maysimply yank tether 230 a to remove peripheral device 210 a from sensorlocation 270 a, and a distress signal will be transmitted bymultifunction mobile computing device 220 a without further userintervention. In such embodiments, a “zero button solution” enables theuser to send a signal that will summon help without interacting with ascreen 290 a of multifunction mobile computing device 220 a, withoutregard to whether screen 290 a is locked or unlocked, or even afterscreen 290 a is rendered inoperable due to impact that shatters screen290 a.

Some embodiments support user entry of duress codes (e.g., throughtoolbar 272 b). In some embodiments, the program instructions arefurther computer-executable to implement, responsive to the detectingthe disarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270b on the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, presenting adistress signal control interface (override 258 b) capable of receivingan order from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 bto prevent transmission of the distress signal. In some embodiments, thepresenting the distress signal control interface (override 258 b)capable of receiving the order from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b to prevent transmission of the distress signalfurther includes presenting a distress signal control interface capableof receiving a duress indication order (e.g., through toolbar 272 b)from the user of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b. Insome embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to receiving the duressindication order (e.g., through toolbar 272 b) from the user of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, indicating over a userinterface (e.g., through override 258 b) of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b prevention of transmission of the distresssignal, and transmitting the distress signal with a duress indicator(e.g., using peripheral antenna 252 b or network antenna 280 b).

Some embodiments capture sensor data (e.g. location, sound frommicrophone 258 b, a visual data from camera 266 b, or data from anexternal sensor device connected through peripheral antenna 252 b) fortransmission in conjunction with the transmission of distress signals.Non-limiting examples of such data include location data, audio, video,movement information, vital sign information, and information fromthird-party sensor devices affiliated with a multifunction mobilecomputing device. In some embodiments, the program instructions arefurther computer-executable to implement, responsive to the detectingthe disarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270b on the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing inputdata received from one or more sensors (e.g. location, sound frommicrophone 258 b, a visual data from camera 266 b, or data from anexternal sensor device connected through peripheral antenna 252 b) ofthe multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter (e.g., over network antenna 280 b orperipheral antenna 252 b) located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b the input data received fromthe one or more sensors (e.g. location, sound from microphone 258 b, avisual data from camera 266 b, or data from an external sensor deviceconnected through peripheral antenna 252 b) of the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing locationdata describing a location of the multifunction mobile computing device,and transmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter (e.g., overnetwork antenna 280 b or peripheral antenna 252 b) located within thehousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b the locationdata describing the location of the multifunction mobile computingdevice 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing input datareceived from one or more external sensors (e.g. data from an externalsensor device connected through peripheral antenna 252 b) affiliatedwith the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and transmittingto the distress signal response receiver over the radio-frequencynetwork (e.g., network 108 of FIG. 1) from the radio-frequencytransmitter located within the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device the input data received from the one or more externalsensors affiliated with the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 270 b, capturing audioinput data received from one or more audio sensors at microphone 258 bof the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and transmitting tothe distress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency networkfrom the radio-frequency transmitter (e.g., over network antenna 280 bor peripheral antenna 252 b) located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the audio input data received fromthe one or more audio sensors at microphone 258 b of the multifunctionmobile computing device 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing videoinput data received from one or more video sensors at camera 266 b ofthe multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, and transmitting (e.g.,over network antenna 280 b or peripheral antenna 252 b) to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b the video input datareceived from the one or more video sensors at camera 266 b of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing motioninput data received from one or more motion sensors of the multifunctionmobile computing device 220 b (e.g., using orientation sensors 1968 andcontact motion module 1930 of FIG. 19), and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter (e.g., over network antenna 280 b orperipheral antenna 252 b) located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the motion input data receivedfrom the one or more motion sensors (e.g., using orientation sensors1968 and contact motion module 1930 of FIG. 19) of the multifunctionmobile computing device 220 b.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment 240 b from the sensor location 270 bon the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b, capturing vital signinput data received from one or more vital sign sensors reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device (e.g., either internal sensors orsensors connected over peripheral antenna 252 b), and transmitting(e.g., over network antenna 280 b or peripheral antenna 252 b) to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the vital sign input data receivedfrom the one or more vital sign sensors (e.g., either internal sensorsor sensors connected over peripheral antenna 252 b) reporting to themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b.

Various embodiments allow for the attachment to connect to the sensorlocation 270 b of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b indifferent ways without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, the sensor location includes 270 b anaudio output connector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and the attachment 242 b includes an articulatingcomponent dimensioned for removable articulation to the audio outputconnector (e.g., plug 242 b). In some embodiments, the sensor location270 b includes an audio output connector coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device, and the attachment 242 b includesan electrically-conductive articulating component dimensioned forremovable articulation to the audio output connector (e.g., plug 242 b).

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes a digital dataconnector coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computingdevice, and the attachment 242 b includes an articulating component(e.g., plug 242 b) dimensioned for removable articulation to the digitaldata connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes a magneticperipheral articulation connector coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device, and the attachment includes anarticulating component polarized for magnetic removable articulation tothe magnetic peripheral articulation connector.

In some embodiments, the sensor location 270 b includes an electricpower transmission connector coupled to a housing of the multifunctionmobile computing device 220 b, and the attachment includes anarticulating component dimensioned for removable articulation to theelectric power transmission connector (e.g., plug 242 b).

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae (e.g., peripheral antenna 252 b) coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, the attachment 242 bincludes an electronic device having a data connection to the sensorlocation 270 b via a radio frequency channel (e.g., over peripheralantenna 252 b) between the attachment and the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the disarticulation includes an attenuationof the data connection.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae (e.g., peripheral antenna 252 b) coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, the attachment 242 bincludes an electronic device having a data connection to the sensorlocation 270 b via a radio frequency channel (e.g., over peripheralantenna 252 b) between the attachment and the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the disarticulation includes a loss of thedata connection.

In some embodiments, the sensor location includes a radio frequencyantennae (e.g., peripheral antenna 252 b) coupled to a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, the attachment 242 bincludes an electronic device having a data connection to the sensorlocation 270 b via a radio frequency channel (e.g., over peripheralantenna 252 b) between the attachment and the multifunction mobilecomputing device 220 b, and the disarticulation includes an increase ina distance between the sensor location and the attachment.

Some embodiments support the transmission of a distress signal in a‘silent alarm’ mode that allows for transmission of the distress signalwithout notification of persons in the vicinity of the multifunctionmobile computing device (e.g., through speaker 256 b or touch screen 290b). In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable toimplement transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter (e.g., overnetwork antenna 280 b or peripheral antenna 252 b) located within ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b the distresssignal further include program instructions computer-executable toimplement transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter (e.g., overnetwork antenna 280 b or peripheral antenna 252 b) located within ahousing of the multifunction mobile computing device 220 b the distresssignal without presenting any visible or audible indication of thetransmission of the distress signal (e.g., through speaker 256 b ortouch screen 290 b).

Some embodiments support the transmission of a distress signal in a‘local alert’ mode that allows for transmission of the distress signalwithout notification (e.g., through speaker 256 b or touch screen 290 b)of persons in the vicinity of the multifunction mobile computing device.In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing an audible indicationof the transmission of the distress signal (e.g., through speaker 256 bor touch screen 290 b).

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location 270 b on themultifunction mobile computing device 220 b, providing a vibration as anindication of the transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing light from a visiblelight source as an indication of the transmission of the distresssignal.

FIG. 3 illustrates a server module for facilitating automated responseto a distress signal, in accordance with some embodiments. Someembodiments include a system, such as a system hosting incident responsemanagement module 330, for facilitating automated response to one ormore distress signals 310. In some embodiments, the system includes anetwork monitoring module 342 configured for monitoring signals receivedover a data network for a presence of one or more distress signals 310transmitted over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of a multifunction mobile computingdevice responsive to detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from asensor location on a multifunction mobile computing device. In someembodiments, incident response management module 330 includes anassessment module 326 configured for assessing priority of the one ormore distress signals 310 transmitted over the radio-frequency networkfrom the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of amultifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, incidentresponse management module 330 includes a resource response module 314configured for communicating the distress signals as responsecommunications 360 to resources tasked to respond to the distresssignals.

In some embodiments, the system includes a logging module 318 configuredfor receiving condition description indications from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to for transmission with thedistress signal and generating logs 342 for storage in a storage medium340. In some embodiments, the system includes a real-time communicationmodule 316 configured for communicating response condition descriptionindications as response communications 360 to a user of themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal, and receiving condition description indications from a user ofthe multifunction mobile computing device to for transmission with thedistress signal 310.

In some embodiments, the system includes a response instructioncommunication module 338 configured for communicating responseinstructions 350 to a user of the multifunction mobile computing devicein response to the distress signal 310. In some embodiments, the systemincludes a responder update diffusion module 336 configured forcommunicating to the resources tasked to respond to the distress signals310 sensor information gathered from the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal 310.

In some embodiments, the system includes an analytics module 334configured for assessing patterns in multiple distress signals 310 andselecting appropriate responses to one or more distress signals 310. Insome embodiments, the system includes a responder instruction module 344configured for communicating instructions 350 to the resources tasked torespond to the distress signals automated instructions selected based onsensor information gathered from the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal 310. Examples of instructions350 to the resources tasked to respond to the distress signals automatedinstructions selected based on sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distress signal310 can include maps to the location of the user or visual data relatingnearby conditions. In some embodiments, the incident response managementmodule receives user input 322 through a user interface 312.

FIG. 4 illustrates a multifunction mobile computing device module forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Some embodiments include a system for facilitatingautomated response to a distress signal. In some embodiments, the systemincludes a housing, a sensor location coupled to the housing, aprocessor located within the housing, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium, a radio-frequency transmitter located within thehousing, and an attachment for the multifunction mobile computingdevice. In some embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to thesensor location coupled to the housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

Some embodiments include a computer program product, such as a distresssignal module 440, in the non-transitory computer-readable medium of themultifunction mobile computing device, wherein the program instructionsare computer-executable to implement a sensor monitoring module 430detecting a disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor locationon the multifunction mobile computing device, and a distress signaltransmitting module 420, responsive to the detecting the disarticulationof the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobilecomputing device, a real-time communication module 424 transmitting to adistress signal response receiver over a radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal 410.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, presenting a user interface 422including a distress signal control interface capable of receiving anorder from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device toprevent transmission of the distress signal, and, responsive to theorder from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device toprevent transmission of the distress signal, an override and controlmodule 432 preventing transmission of the distress signal. In someembodiments, user interface 422 includes a user interface capable ofreceiving a touchscreen input 412 for sending a distress signal withoutdetachment

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, an override and control module432 over-riding a locked screen condition of the multifunction mobilecomputing device and presenting a distress signal control interface of auser interface 422 capable of receiving as user input 412 an order froma user of the multifunction mobile computing device to controlparameters of transmission of the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, an override and control module432 over-riding a locked screen condition of the multifunction mobilecomputing device, and presenting a distress signal data input interfaceof user interface 422 capable of receiving condition descriptionindications as user input 412 from a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device for transmission with the distress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, and presenting a distress signalcontrol interface of user interface 422 capable of receiving an orderfrom a user of the multifunction mobile computing device to preventtransmission of the distress signal. In some embodiments, the presentingthe distress signal control interface of user interface 422 capable ofreceiving the order from a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice to prevent transmission of the distress signal further includespresenting a distress signal control interface of user interface 422capable of receiving a duress indication order from the user of themultifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the programinstructions are further computer-executable to implement, responsive toreceiving the duress indication order from the user of the multifunctionmobile computing device, indicating over a user interface 422 of themultifunction mobile computing device prevention of transmission of thedistress signal, and transmitting the distress signal 410 with a duressindicator.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor monitoring module 436capturing input data received from one or more sensors of themultifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to the distresssignal response receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a geotracking module 428capturing location data describing a location of the multifunctionmobile computing device, and transmitting to the distress signalresponse receiver over the radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the location data describing thelocation of the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor capture module 434capturing input data received from one or more external sensorsaffiliated with the multifunction mobile computing device, logging thedata as logs 470 to a storage medium 440 and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the input data received from theone or more external sensors affiliated with the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor capture module 434capturing audio input data received from one or more audio sensors ofthe multifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the audio input data received fromthe one or more audio sensors of the multifunction mobile computingdevice.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor capture module 434capturing video input data received from one or more video sensors ofthe multifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the video input data received fromthe one or more video sensors of the multifunction mobile computingdevice.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor capture module 434capturing motion input data received from one or more motion sensors ofthe multifunction mobile computing device, and transmitting to thedistress signal response receiver over the radio-frequency network fromthe radio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the motion input data receivedfrom the one or more motion sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, a sensor capture module 434capturing vital sign input data received from one or more vital signsensors reporting to the multifunction mobile computing device, andtransmitting to the distress signal response receiver over theradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thevital sign input data received from the one or more vital sign sensorsreporting to the multifunction mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement a real-time communication module 424transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device thedistress signal further include program instructions computer-executableto implement a real-time communication module 424 transmitting to adistress signal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal withoutpresenting any visible or audible indication of the transmission of thedistress signal.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing an audible indicationof the transmission of the distress signal through a user interface 422.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing a vibration as anindication of the transmission of the distress signal through a userinterface 422.

In some embodiments, the program instructions are furthercomputer-executable to implement, responsive to the detecting thedisarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device, providing light from a visiblelight source as an indication of the transmission of the distress signalthrough a user interface 422. Some embodiments can receive responsecommunications 450 and instructions as described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 500). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, transmit adistress signal to a distress signal response server over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device (block502).

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 600). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, transmit adistress signal to a distress signal response server over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device (block502). A distress signal control interface capable of receiving an orderfrom a user of the multifunction mobile computing device to preventtransmission of the distress signal is presented (block 604). Responsiveto the order from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device toprevent transmission of the distress signal, an all-clear signal istransmitted (block 606).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 700). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device is over-ridden(block 702). A distress signal data input interface capable of receivinga condition description indications from a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device for transmission with the distress signal ispresented (block 704). The distress signal is transmitted to a distresssignal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device (block 706).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 800). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device is over-ridden(block 802). A distress signal control interface capable of receiving anorder from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device tocontrol parameters of transmission of the distress signal is presented(block 804). The distress signal is transmitted to a distress signalresponse receiver over a public radio-frequency network from aradio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device (block 806).

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 900). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, a locked screencondition of the multifunction mobile computing device is over-ridden(block 902). A distress signal control interface capable of receiving aduress indication order from the user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device is presented (block 904). An indication of preventionof transmission of the distress signal is presented over a userinterface of the multifunction mobile computing device (block 906).Responsive to receiving the duress indication order from the user of themultifunction mobile computing device, the distress signal istransmitted with a duress indicator to a distress signal responsereceiver over a public radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobilecomputing device (block 908).

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. A disarticulation from a sensor location on amultifunction mobile computing device of an attachment removablyarticulated to the sensor location is detected (block 1000). Responsiveto the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device, transmit to adistress signal response receiver over a public radio-frequency networkfrom a radio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of themultifunction mobile computing device the distress signal (block 1002).Responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment fromthe sensor location on the multifunction mobile computing device, inputdata received from one or more sensors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device is captured (block 1004). The input data received fromthe one or more sensors of the multifunction mobile computing device istransmitted from the radio-frequency transmitter located within thehousing of the multifunction mobile computing device (block 1006).

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1100). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1102). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1104).

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1200). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1202). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1204). Condition description indications fortransmission with the distress signal are received from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device (block 1206).

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1300). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1302). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1304). Response condition descriptionindications are communicated to a user of the multifunction mobilecomputing device in response to the distress signal (block 1306).Condition description indications for transmission with the distresssignal are received from a user of the multifunction mobile computingdevice (block 1308).

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1400). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1402). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1404). Response instructions are communicated toa user of the multifunction mobile computing device in response to thedistress signal (block 1406).

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1500). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1502). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1504). Sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distress signalis communicated to the resources tasked to respond to the distresssignals (block 1506).

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1600). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1602). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1604). Patterns in multiple distress signals areassessed and appropriate responses to one or more distress signals areselected (block 1606).

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal, in accordance withsome embodiments. Signals received over a data network are monitored fora presence of one or more distress signals transmitted over aradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device (block 1700). Priority of theone or more distress signals transmitted over the radio-frequencynetwork from the radio-frequency transmitter located within the housingof a multifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device is assessed (block 1702). Thedistress signals are communicated to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals (block 1704). Automated instructions selected based onsensor information gathered from the multifunction mobile computingdevice in response to the distress signal is communicated to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals (block 1706).

Example Computer System

FIG. 18 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for facilitating automated response toa distress signal, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 18illustrates computer system 1800 that is configured to execute any orall of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments,computer system 1800 may be any of various types of devices, including,but not limited to, a computer embedded in a vehicle, a computerembedded in an appliance, a personal computer system, desktop computer,laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computersystem, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, aset top box, a mobile device, a consumer device, video game console,handheld video game device, application server, storage device, atelevision, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as aswitch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronicdevice.

Various embodiments of a system and method for negotiating control of ashared audio or visual resource, as described herein, may be executed onone or more computer systems 1800, which may interact with various otherdevices. Note that any component, action, or functionality describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1-5 may be implemented on one or morecomputers configured as computer system 1800 of FIG. 18, according tovarious embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 1800includes one or more processors 1810 coupled to a system memory 1820 viaan input/output (I/O) interface 1830. Computer system 1800 furtherincludes a network interface 1840 coupled to I/O interface 1830, and oneor more input/output devices 1850, such as cursor control device 1860,keyboard 1870, and display(s) 1880. In some cases, it is contemplatedthat embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computersystem 1800, while in other embodiments multiple such systems, ormultiple nodes making up computer system 1800, may be configured to hostdifferent portions or instances of embodiments. For example, in oneembodiment some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes ofcomputer system 1800 that are distinct from those nodes implementingother elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 1800 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 1810, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 1810 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 1810 may be any suitable processor capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodimentsprocessors 1810 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 1810 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 1820 may be configured to store program instructions 1822and/or existing state information and ownership transition conditiondata 1832 accessible by processor 1810. In various embodiments, systemmemory 1820 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology,such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Inthe illustrated embodiment, program instructions 1822 may be configuredto implement a mapping application 1824 incorporating any of thefunctionality described above. Additionally, existing state informationand ownership transition condition data 1832 of memory 1820 may includeany of the information or data structures described above. In someembodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent orstored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similarmedia separate from system memory 1820 or computer system 1800. Whilecomputer system 1800 is described as implementing the functionality offunctional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented via such a computer system.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 1830 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 1810, system memory 1820, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 1840 orother peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 1850. In someembodiments, I/O interface 1830 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 1820) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 1810). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 1830 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 1830 may be split into two or more separate components, suchas a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 1830, suchas an interface to system memory 1820, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 1810.

Network interface 1840 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 1800 and other devices attached to a network1885 (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computersystem 1800. Network 1885 may in various embodiments include one or morenetworks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g.,an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface1840 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 1850 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 1800.Multiple input/output devices 1850 may be present in computer system1800 or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system 1800. Insome embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate fromcomputer system 1800 and may interact with one or more nodes of computersystem 1800 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 1840.

As shown in FIG. 18, memory 1820 may include program instructions 1822,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above, such as the methods illustratedby FIG. 5-17. In other embodiments, different elements and data may beincluded. Note that data 1832 may include any data or informationdescribed above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 1800 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 1800 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 1800 may be transmitted to computer system1800 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

Multifunction Mobile Computing Device

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Other portable electronic devices, such aslaptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touchscreen displays and/or touch pads), may also be used. It should also beunderstood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a desktop computer with a touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touch pad). In someembodiments, the device is a gaming computer with orientation sensors(e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming controller).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices. FIG.199 is a block diagram illustrating multifunction mobile computingdevice 1900 with touch-sensitive displays 19192 in accordance with someembodiments. Touch-sensitive display 19192 is sometimes called a “touchscreen” for convenience, and may also be known as or called atouch-sensitive display system. Device 1900 may include memory 1902(which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums),memory controller 1922, one or more processing units (CPU's) 1920,peripherals interface 19198, RF circuitry 1908, audio circuitry 19190,speaker 191919, microphone 19193, input/output (I/O) subsystem 1906,other input or control devices 19196, and external port 1924. Device1900 may include one or more optical sensors 1964. These components maycommunicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 1903.

It should be appreciated that device 1900 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 1900 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 19 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 1902 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 1902 by other components of device 1900, suchas CPU 1920 and the peripherals interface 19198, may be controlled bymemory controller 1922.

Peripherals interface 19198 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 1920 and memory 1902. The one or moreprocessors 1920 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 1902 to perform various functions fordevice 1900 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 19198, CPU 1920, and memorycontroller 1922 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 1904.In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 1908 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 1908 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 1908 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 1908 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.1919a, IEEE 802.1919b, IEEE 802.1919gand/or IEEE 802.1919n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, aprotocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP)and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensiblemessaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol forInstant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), InstantMessaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service(SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, includingcommunication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of thisdocument.

Audio circuitry 19190, speaker 191919, and microphone 19193 provide anaudio interface between a user and device 1900. Audio circuitry 19190receives audio data from peripherals interface 19198, converts the audiodata to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal tospeaker 191919. Speaker 191919 converts the electrical signal tohuman-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry 19190 also receiveselectrical signals converted by microphone 19193 from sound waves. Audiocircuitry 19190 converts the electrical signal to audio data andtransmits the audio data to peripherals interface 19198 for processing.Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory 1902and/or RF circuitry 1908 by peripherals interface 19198. In someembodiments, audio circuitry 19190 also includes a headset jack (e.g.,2192, FIG. 2). The headset jack provides an interface between audiocircuitry 19190 and removable audio input/output peripherals, such asoutput-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphonefor one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 1906 couples input/output peripherals on device 1900, suchas touch screen 19192 and other input control devices 19196, toperipherals interface 19198. I/O subsystem 1906 may include displaycontroller 1956 and one or more input controllers 1960 for other inputor control devices. The one or more input controllers 1960 receive/sendelectrical signals from/to other input or control devices 19196. Theother input control devices 19196 may include physical buttons (e.g.,push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks,click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, inputcontroller(s) 1960 may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: akeyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse.The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/downbutton for volume control of speaker 191919 and/or microphone 19193. Theone or more buttons may include a push button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 19192 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 1956receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 19192.Touch screen 19192 displays visual output to the user. The visual outputmay include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof(collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all ofthe visual output may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 19192 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set ofsensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactilecontact. Touch screen 19192 and display controller 1956 (along with anyassociated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory 1902) detectcontact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen19192 and converts the detected contact into interaction withuser-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages orimages) that are displayed on touch screen 19192. In an exemplaryembodiment, a point of contact between touch screen 19192 and the usercorresponds to a finger of the user.

Touch screen 19192 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 19192 and display controller 1956 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 19192. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

The user may make contact with touch screen 19192 using any suitableobject or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In someembodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily withfinger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise thanstylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on thetouch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the roughfinger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command forperforming the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 1900 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 19192 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 1900 also includes power system 1962 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 1962 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 1900 may also include one or more optical sensors 1964. FIG. 19shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 195194 inI/O subsystem 1906. Optical sensor 1964 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 1964 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 1943(also called a camera module), optical sensor 1964 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 1900, opposite touch screen display 19192 on thefront of the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 1900 may also include one or more proximity sensors 1966. FIG. 19shows proximity sensor 1966 coupled to peripherals interface 19198.Alternately, proximity sensor 1966 may be coupled to input controller1960 in I/O subsystem 1906. In some embodiments, the proximity sensorturns off and disables touch screen 19192 when the multifunction deviceis placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phonecall).

Device 1900 includes one or more orientation sensors 1968. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 1900. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 19 shows the one or more orientationsensors 1968 coupled to peripherals interface 19198. Alternately, theone or more orientation sensors 1968 may be coupled to an inputcontroller 1960 in I/O subsystem 1906. In some embodiments, informationis displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or alandscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one ormore orientation sensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 1902include operating system 1926, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 1928, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 1930,graphics module (or set of instructions) 1932, text input module (or setof instructions) 1934, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 1935, arbiter module 1958 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 1936. Device/global internal state 1957 includes one ormore of: active application state, indicating which applications, ifany, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications,views or other information occupy various regions of touch screendisplay 19192; sensor state, including information obtained from thedevice's various sensors and input control devices 19196; stateinformation that indicates which processes control output of sharedaudio or visual resource of a vehicle; ownership transition conditionsof the shared audio or visual resource; and location informationconcerning the device's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 1926 (e.g., Darwin, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or anembedded operating system such as VxWorks or RTXC) includes varioussoftware components and/or drivers for controlling and managing generalsystem tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 1928 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 1924 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 1908 and/orexternal port 1924. External port 1924 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus(USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devicesor indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.).

Contact/motion module 1930 may detect contact with touch screen 19192(in conjunction with display controller 1956) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 1930 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 1930receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 1930 and display controller 1956detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 1930 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 1932 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 19192 or otherdisplay, including components for changing the intensity of graphicsthat are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes anyobject that can be displayed to a user, including without limitationtext, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including softkeys), digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 1932 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 1932 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 1956.

Text input module 1934, which may be a component of graphics module1932, provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications(e.g., contacts 1937, e-mail 1940, IM 19419, browser 1947, and any otherapplication that needs text input).

GPS module 1935 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 1938 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 1943 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 1936 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 1937 (sometimes called an address book or        contact list);    -   telephone module 1938;    -   video conferencing module 193194;    -   e-mail client module 1940;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 19419;    -   workout support module 1942;    -   camera module 1943 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 1944;    -   browser module 1947;    -   calendar module 1948;    -   widget modules 194194, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 194194-19, stocks widget 194194-2, calculator widget        194194-3, alarm clock widget 194194-4, dictionary widget        194194-5, and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as        user-created widgets 194194-6;    -   widget creator module 1950 for making user-created widgets        194194-6;    -   search module 19519;    -   video and music player module 1952, which may be made up of a        video module and a music module;    -   notes module 1953;    -   map module 1954; and/or    -   online video module 1955.

Examples of other applications 1936 that may be stored in memory 1902include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display controller 1956, contactmodule 1930, graphics module 1932, and text input module 1934, contactsmodule 1937 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 191942 of contacts module 1937 inmemory 1902), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deletingname(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mailaddress(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name;associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names;providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/orfacilitate communications by telephone 1938, video conference 193194,e-mail 1940, or IM 19419; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, audio circuitry 19190, speaker191919, microphone 19193, touch screen 19192, display controller 1956,contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, and text input module 1934,telephone module 1938 may be used to enter a sequence of characterscorresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephonenumbers in address book 1937, modify a telephone number that has beenentered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation anddisconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As notedabove, the wireless communication may use any of a variety ofcommunications standards, protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, audio circuitry 19190, speaker191919, microphone 19193, touch screen 19192, display controller 1956,and communication module 1928, arbiter module 1958 negotiates control ofa shared audio or visual resource of an automobile. A request forcontrol of a shared audio or visual resource of the vehicle is receivedat arbiter module 1958. Arbiter module 1958 maintains existing stateinformation for ownership of the shared audio or visual resource andownership transition conditions of the shared audio or visual resource.The request for control of the shared audio or visual resource of thevehicle is received from one of a plurality of processes including aprocess executing on an embedded system attached to the vehicle and aprocess executing on a mobile computing device (portable multifunctiondevice 1900) temporarily communicating with the vehicle. New stateinformation regarding ownership of the shared audio or visual resourceis determined by arbiter module 1958 based at least in part on therequest for control and the ownership transition conditions. The newstate information indicates which of the processes controls output ofthe shared audio or visual resource of the vehicle. New ownershiptransition conditions of the shared audio or visual resource aredetermined by arbiter module 1958 and communicated to a controllerinterface of the shared audio or visual resource.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, audio circuitry 19190, speaker191919, microphone 19193, touch screen 19192, display controller 1956,optical sensor 1964, arbiter module 1958, contact module 1930, graphicsmodule 1932, text input module 1934, contact list 1937, and telephonemodule 1938, videoconferencing module 193194 includes executableinstructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conferencebetween a user and one or more other participants in accordance withuser instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaycontroller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, and textinput module 1934, e-mail client module 1940 includes executableinstructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response touser instructions. In conjunction with image management module 1944,e-mail client module 1940 makes it very easy to create and send e-mailswith still or video images taken with camera module 1943.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaycontroller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, and textinput module 1934, the instant messaging module 19419 includesexecutable instructions to enter a sequence of characters correspondingto an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, totransmit a respective instant message (for example, using a ShortMessage Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol fortelephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS forInternet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and toview received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/orreceived instant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files,video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or anEnhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging”refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMSor MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP,SIMPLE, or IMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaycontroller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, text inputmodule 1934, GPS module 1935, map module 1954, and music player module1946, workout support module 1942 includes executable instructions tocreate workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burninggoals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receiveworkout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; selectand play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workoutdata.

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display controller 1956, opticalsensor(s) 1964, optical sensor controller 195194, contact module 1930,graphics module 1932, and image management module 1944, camera module1943 includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 1902, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 1902.

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display controller 1956, contactmodule 1930, graphics module 1932, text input module 1934, and cameramodule 1943, image management module 1944 includes executableinstructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate,label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), andstore still and/or video images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaysystem controller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, andtext input module 1934, browser module 1947 includes executableinstructions to browse the Internet in accordance with userinstructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displayingweb pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other fileslinked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaysystem controller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, textinput module 1934, e-mail client module 1940, and browser module 1947,calendar module 1948 includes executable instructions to create,display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars(e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with userinstructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaysystem controller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, textinput module 1934, and browser module 1947, widget modules 194194 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 194194-19, stocks widget 194194-2, calculator widget1941943, alarm clock widget 194194-4, and dictionary widget 194194-5) orcreated by the user (e.g., user-created widget 194194-6). In someembodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file,a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In someembodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) fileand a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaysystem controller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, textinput module 1934, and browser module 1947, the widget creator module1950 may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning auser-specified portion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display system controller 1956,contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, and text input module 1934,search module 19519 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 1902 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display system controller 1956,contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, audio circuitry 19190,speaker 191919, RF circuitry 1908, and browser module 1947, video andmusic player module 1952 includes executable instructions that allow theuser to download and play back recorded music and other sound filesstored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, andexecutable instructions to display, present or otherwise play backvideos (e.g., on touch screen 19192 or on an external, connected displayvia external port 1924). In some embodiments, device 1900 may includethe functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of AppleInc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display controller 1956, contactmodule 1930, graphics module 1932, and text input module 1934, notesmodule 1953 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes,to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1908, touch screen 19192, displaysystem controller 1956, contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, textinput module 1934, GPS module 1935, and browser module 1947, map module1954 may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and dataassociated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and otherpoints of interest at or near a particular location; and otherlocation-based data) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 19192, display system controller 1956,contact module 1930, graphics module 1932, audio circuitry 19190,speaker 191919, RF circuitry 1908, text input module 1934, e-mail clientmodule 1940, and browser module 1947, online video module 1955 includesinstructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., bystreaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or onan external, connected display via external port 1924), send an e-mailwith a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage onlinevideos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments,instant messaging module 19419, rather than e-mail client module 1940,is used to send a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwiserearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 1902 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 1902 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 1900 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device1900, the number of physical input control devices (such as pushbuttons, dials, and the like) on device 1900 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 1900 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 1900. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

While a portable or mobile computing device is shown as one embodimentof a multifunction device, one of skill in the art will readily realizein light of having read the current disclosure that a desktop computeror other computing device may also perform many of the functionsdescribed herein without departing from the scope and intent of thepresent disclosure. Likewise, while touch screen devices are shown asone embodiment of a multifunction device, one of skill in the art willreadily realize in light of having read the current disclosure that adesktop computer or other computing device without a touch screen mayalso perform many of the functions described herein without departingfrom the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a portable multifunction device 1900 in accordancewith some embodiments. The touch screen may display one or more graphicswithin user interface (UI) 200. In this embodiment, as well as othersdescribed below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by makinga gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202(not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (notdrawn to scale in the figure).

Device 1900 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as“home” or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 maybe used to navigate to any application 1936 in a set of applicationsthat may be executed on device 1900. Alternatively, in some embodiments,the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touchscreen 19192.

In one embodiment, device 1900 includes touch screen 19192, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 2190, head set jack 2192, and docking/charging externalport 1924. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.

In an alternative embodiment, device 1900 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone19193.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating automated response to adistress signal, the system comprising: a network monitoring moduleconfigured for monitoring signals received over a data network for apresence of one or more distress signals transmitted over a publicradio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin a housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensor locationon a multifunction mobile computing device; an assessment moduleconfigured for assessing priority of the one or more distress signalstransmitted over the public radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of amultifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device; and a resource response moduleconfigured for communicating the distress signals to resources tasked torespond to the distress signals.
 2. The system for facilitatingautomated response to a distress signal of claim 1, further comprising:a logging module configured for receiving condition descriptionindications from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device tofor transmission with the distress signal.
 3. The system forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal of claim 1, furthercomprising: a realtime communication module configured for communicatingresponse condition description indications to a user of themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal, and receiving condition description indications from a user ofthe multifunction mobile computing device to for transmission with thedistress signal.
 4. The system for facilitating automated response to adistress signal of claim 1, further comprising: a response instructioncommunication module configured for communicating response instructionsto a user of the multifunction mobile computing device in response tothe distress signal.
 5. The system for facilitating automated responseto a distress signal of claim 1, further comprising: a responder updatediffusion module configured for communicating to the resources tasked torespond to the distress signals sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.
 6. The system for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal of claim 1, further comprising: an analytics module configuredfor assessing patterns in multiple distress signals and selectingappropriate responses to one or more distress signals.
 7. The system forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal of claim 1, furthercomprising: a responder instruction module configured for communicatingto the resources tasked to respond to the distress signals automatedinstructions selected based on sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.
 8. A method for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal, the method comprising: monitoring signals received over a datanetwork for a presence of one or more distress signals transmitted overa public radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitterlocated within a housing of a multifunction mobile computing deviceresponsive to detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from a sensorlocation on a multifunction mobile computing device; assessing priorityof the one or more distress signals transmitted over the publicradio-frequency network from the radio-frequency transmitter locatedwithin the housing of a multifunction mobile computing device responsiveto detecting the disarticulation of an attachment from the sensorlocation on the multifunction mobile computing device; and communicatingthe distress signals to resources tasked to respond to the distresssignals.
 9. The method for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal of claim 8, further comprising: receiving condition descriptionindications from a user of the multifunction mobile computing device tofor transmission with the distress signal.
 10. The method forfacilitating automated response to a distress signal of claim 8, furthercomprising: communicating response condition description indications toa user of the multifunction mobile computing device in response to thedistress signal, and receiving condition description indications from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to for transmissionwith the distress signal.
 11. The method for facilitating automatedresponse to a distress signal of claim 8, further comprising:communicating response instructions to a user of the multifunctionmobile computing device in response to the distress signal.
 12. Themethod for facilitating automated response to a distress signal of claim8, further comprising: communicating to the resources tasked to respondto the distress signals sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.
 13. The method for facilitating automated response to a distresssignal of claim 8, further comprising: assessing patterns in multipledistress signals and selecting appropriate responses to one or moredistress signals.
 14. The method for facilitating automated response toa distress signal of claim 8, further comprising: communicating to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals automatedinstructions selected based on sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprisingprogram instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable byone or more processors of a network-connected computing device toimplement: a network monitoring module monitoring signals received overa data network for a presence of one or more distress signalstransmitted over a public radio-frequency network from a radio-frequencytransmitter located within a housing of a multifunction mobile computingdevice responsive to detecting a disarticulation of an attachment from asensor location on a multifunction mobile computing device; anassessment module assessing priority of the one or more distress signalstransmitted over the public radio-frequency network from theradio-frequency transmitter located within the housing of amultifunction mobile computing device responsive to detecting thedisarticulation of an attachment from the sensor location on themultifunction mobile computing device; and a resource response modulecommunicating the distress signals to resources tasked to respond to thedistress signals.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, further comprising program instructions executableby the one or more processors of the multifunction mobile computingdevice to cause the mobile multifunction to implement: a logging modulereceiving condition description indications from a user of themultifunction mobile computing device to for transmission with thedistress signal.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 15, further comprising program instructions executable by theone or more processors of the multifunction mobile computing device tocause the mobile multifunction to implement: a realtime communicationmodule communicating response condition description indications to auser of the multifunction mobile computing device in response to thedistress signal, and receiving condition description indications from auser of the multifunction mobile computing device to for transmissionwith the distress signal.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 15, further comprising program instructionsexecutable by the one or more processors of the multifunction mobilecomputing device to cause the mobile multifunction to implement: aresponse instruction communication module communicating responseinstructions to a user of the multifunction mobile computing device inresponse to the distress signal.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising programinstructions executable by the one or more processors of themultifunction mobile computing device to cause the mobile multifunctionto implement: a responder update diffusion module communicating to theresources tasked to respond to the distress signals sensor informationgathered from the multifunction mobile computing device in response tothe distress signal.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, further comprising program instructions executableby the one or more processors of the multifunction mobile computingdevice to cause the mobile multifunction to implement: an analyticsmodule assessing patterns in multiple distress signals and selectingappropriate responses to one or more distress signals.
 21. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, furthercomprising program instructions executable by the one or more processorsof the multifunction mobile computing device to cause the mobilemultifunction to implement: a responder instruction module communicatingto the resources tasked to respond to the distress signals automatedinstructions selected based on sensor information gathered from themultifunction mobile computing device in response to the distresssignal.